Our Health and the Power of Pets

At the request of some WWURA members, this month’s health column focuses on what is known about the benefits animals offer in people’s lives. Pets, which may include cats and dogs, but also fish, horses, birds, rodents, and others. Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep one company. Pets are utilized in occupational, physical, and speech therapy as well as emotional health therapy. Research studies are being conducted to see how pets may decrease stress, improve heart health, reduce social isolation, and improve home activity among older adults.

Animals offer companionship, which enhances people’s quality of living. “Some research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise, and are less depressed. Pets may also have a significant impact on allergies, asthma, social support, and social interactions with other people.” Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood. An estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet. Who benefits from an animal? Which type of pet brings health benefits? Scientists are looking at what the potential physical and mental health benefits are for different animals—from fish to guinea pigs to dogs and cats.

What some studies have shown regarding impact on physical and mental health: Companion animals may lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate during stressful situations. In a 2002 study, people with a dog or cat were less likely to have spikes in heart rates and blood pressure while performing a timed math task compared to those when pets were not present. A simple act of stroking a pet has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Pet ownership among older adults might be an important source of social support that enhances well-being. “In one study, elderly individuals that had a dog or cat were better able to perform certain physical activities deemed ‘activities of daily living,’ such as the ability to climb stairs; bend, kneel, or stoop; take medication; prepare meals; and bathe and dress oneself. There were not significant differences between dog and cat owners in their abilities to perform these activities. Neither the length of time of having a dog or cat nor the level of attachment to the animal influenced performance abilities. Findings suggest that the social support a pet provides can make a person feel more relaxed and decrease stress.” Walking with a dog has been found to increase social interaction, especially with strangers, compared to walking without a dog. Social support from friends and family can have similar benefits, but interpersonal relationships often cause stress as well, whereas pets may be less likely to cause stress. There’s not one answer about how a pet can help somebody with a specific condition,” explains Dr. Layla Esposito, who oversees NIH’s Human-Animal Interaction Research Program. “Is your goal to increase physical activity? Then you might benefit from owning a dog. You have to walk a dog several times a day and you’re going to increase physical activity. If your goal is reducing stress, sometimes watching fish swim can result in a feeling of calmness. So there’s no one type fits all.”

Note: information about allergies, asthma, children’s emotional development and which pet is better is available at the source site. The Power of Pets | NIH News in Health

https://www.center4research.org/benefits-pets-human-health/

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets